Analyze Diet
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(5); 1278; doi: 10.3390/ani11051278

Sequential Modulation of the Equine Fecal Microbiota and Fibrolytic Capacity Following Two Consecutive Abrupt Dietary Changes and Bacterial Supplementation.

Abstract: In horses, abrupt changes from high-fiber (HF) to high-starch (HS) diets can affect the cecal and colonic microbiota. This study investigated modifications and recovery of fecal microbiota after two consecutive abrupt dietary changes. Twelve horses fed HF for 2 weeks were changed to HS for 5 days then returned to HF for 7 weeks. Six received lactic acid bacteria supplementation. Bacterial population diversity, structure, and activity, especially fibrolysis, were assessed to obtain an overview of alteration in hindgut microbiota. Two days after the abrupt change from HF to HS, the findings in feces were consistent with those previously reported in the cecum and colon, with a decrease in fibrolytic activity and an increase in amylolytic activity. Fecal parameters stabilized at their basal level 3-4 weeks after the return to HF. A bloom of cellulolytic bacteria and lower pH were observed after 1.5 weeks, suggesting a higher level of fiber degradation. In supplemented horses the relative abundance of potentially fibrolytic genera was enhanced 2 days after HS and 2 days to 2-3 weeks after the return to HF. Fecal analysis could be a promising technique for monitoring hindgut microbial variations accompanying dietary changes.
Publication Date: 2021-04-29 PubMed ID: 33946811PubMed Central: PMC8144951DOI: 10.3390/ani11051278Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research article investigates the impact of sudden dietary changes on the fecal microbiota of horses, and the potential mitigating role of bacterial supplementation on these changes. It emphasizes the use of fecal analysis as a method for monitoring the variation in hindgut microbial activity during such dietary changes.

Objective and Method

  • The main aim of this study was to investigate the alterations and recovery of fecal microbiota in horses after two consecutive abrupt dietary shifts.
  • The researchers tested their hypotheses on twelve horses that were initially fed a high-fiber diet for two weeks. These horses were then abruptly shifted to a high-starch diet for five days, and subsequently returned to a high-fiber diet for seven weeks.
  • Of the twelve horses, six received supplementation with lactic acid bacteria, that is known to have a positive impact on gut health.
  • The investigation assessed bacterial population diversity, structure, and activity within the horse’s hindgut, with a focus on fibrolysis – the microbial breakdown of fiber..

Findings

  • Two days after the initial shift from a high-fiber to a high-starch diet, the results showed a decrease in fibrolytic activity and an increase in amylolytic activity. Amylolytic activity refers to the process in which starch is broken down by bacteria in the gut.
  • In turn, these fecal findings correlated with previous research done on cecal and colonic microbiota in horses following comparable dietary changes.
  • After switching back to a high-fiber diet, fecal parameters were observed to stabilize at their original levels (basal level) within 3-4 weeks.
  • A noticeable increase in cellulolytic (fiber-degrading) bacteria along with a reduction in pH was observed after 1.5 weeks of returning to a high-fiber diet, suggesting a higher level of fiber degradation.

Impacts of Bacterial Supplementation

  • In the horses that received the lactic acid bacteria supplementation, the relative abundance of potentially fibrolytic genera increased as early as 2 days after the transition to the high-starch diet, and this effect remained for 2-3 weeks after returning to the high-fiber diet.

Conclusion

  • The findings suggest fecal analysis as a potentially effective technique for monitoring changes in hindgut microbial activity that accompany dietary changes in horses. This could aid in designing appropriate dietary shifts and supplementation to maintain their gut health and overall wellbeing.

Cite This Article

APA
Collinet A, Grimm P, Julliand S, Julliand V. (2021). Sequential Modulation of the Equine Fecal Microbiota and Fibrolytic Capacity Following Two Consecutive Abrupt Dietary Changes and Bacterial Supplementation. Animals (Basel), 11(5), 1278. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051278

Publication

ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 5
PII: 1278

Researcher Affiliations

Collinet, Axelle
  • Lab To Field, 21000 Dijon, France.
  • Unité Mixte de Recherche Procédés Alimentaires et Microbiologiques (UMR PAM) A 02.102, AgroSup Dijon, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France.
Grimm, Pauline
  • Lab To Field, 21000 Dijon, France.
Julliand, Samy
  • Lab To Field, 21000 Dijon, France.
Julliand, Véronique
  • Unité Mixte de Recherche Procédés Alimentaires et Microbiologiques (UMR PAM) A 02.102, AgroSup Dijon, University Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000 Dijon, France.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
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